TORONTO (December 18, 2014) – Gas prices may be down but CORNER GAS is pumping stronger than ever! Following a successful theatrical debut to sold-out cinemas across the country, Corner Gas: The Movie made its super-simulcast network premiere last night, winning Wednesday and delivering a preliminary overnight audience of 1.84 million viewers on CTV and CTV Two. Returning home to the network that made CORNER GAS a household fixture, the movie was the #1 program of the night with total viewers and all key male demos, leading the season finale of SURVIVOR (Global/CBS, 1.69 million viewers) by 9% among total viewers and 14% among M25-54.

With final numbers still to come, Corner Gas: The Movie already ranks as the most- watched Canadian movie on TV since 2002’s TRUDEAU, Part 1 (2.01 million). Growing in its second hour with total viewers and A25-54, the movie peaked with 2.1 million viewers when Brent and Lacey confirmed their relationship with a shocking smooch at the Ruby Café. Overall, more than 4.6 million viewers watched some part of the movie.

Based on an entirely new and innovative distribution model for a Canadian feature film, the final television broadcast numbers as well as the results of the multi-platform release for Corner Gas: The Movie will be made available in the New Year.

Online, #CornerGasMovie trended on Twitter worldwide during the broadcast, and continued trending in Canada this morning. More than 10,700 mentions of CORNER GAS-related terms were tweeted in the 24 hours surrounding the broadcast, generating more than 22.7 million estimated impressions.

Leading up to last night’s network premiere of the movie, an all-new ETALK preview special, ETALK PRESENTS CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE, delivered 831,000 viewers, making it the highest overnight audience for an ETALK special this season.

For fans in need of a re-fill – have no fear, there is still more GAS in the tank this month. Corner Gas: The Movie premieres Monday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The Comedy Network, following an all-day marathon of fan favourite episodes, starting at 6 a.m. ET. Corner Gas: The Movie is also available currently on the CTV GO app, CTV.ca, and CraveTV. A special collector’s edition DVD and Blu-ray is available in stores now, just in time for the holidays.

In advance of last nights’ network premiere, the cast appeared at multiple red carpet galas and events, including the 110th Annual Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, in their very own CORNER GAS-themed float. Earlier this month in Ottawa, the cast and producers were special guests of the Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons, who greeted them following Question Period. The movie debuted in sold out Cineplex theatres across the country on December 3 and received an extended in-theatre run last weekend due to popular demand.